Hydroponics Systems and
Supplies for Hydroponics and Aeroponics

Common Terms:

Aeration - supplying soil and roots with air or oxygen. Geolite is an example of a medium with excellent aeration. In some hydroponic systems, a nutrient solution is aerated by the output of an aquarium pump.

Aeroponics - a system in which the roots of a plant are consistently or intermittently misted with fine droplets of nutrient solution.

Clone - a plant produced through asexual reproduction including, but not limited to, cuttings, layering and tissue culture.

Drip aeration - a hydroponic method wherein air pressure from a small air pump is used to percolate nutrient solution out through a ring of feeder tubing which encircles the plant.

Drip system (drip emitter system) - a very efficient watering system that employs a main hose with small water emitters. Water is metered out of the emitters, one drop at a time.

Ebb-and-flow (or flood and drain) - a hydroponic system in which the medium, usually aggregate pebbles, is periodically flooded with nutrient solution and then drained again, feeding and aerating the medium and root system.

Foliar feeding - misting plants with fertilizer solution, which is absorbed by the foliage.

Germination - the process of causing the initiation and development of a plant from seed.

Medium - the substrate or soilless material which supports the plant and absorbs and releases the nutrient solution in hydroponic horticulture.

Micronutrients - also referred to a trace elements, including s, fe, mn, b, mb, an and cu.

Nft (nutrient film technique) - a hydroponic method in which nutrient is fed into grow tubes or trays in a thin film where the roots draw it up. This "nutrient film" allows the roots to have constant contact with the nutrient and the air layer above at the same time.

Nutrients - the elements needed by plants for normal growth and health. The major nutrients (macronutrients) are nitrogen (n), phosphorus (p), and potassium (k), but there are numerous micronutrients (also called trace elements) which also have integral roles in maintaining plant health. A good quality hydroponic nutrient formula will contain all of the major nutrients and micronutrients needed by the vast majority of plants.

Nutrient solution - the mixture of water and water-soluble nutrients which is provided to the plants for nourishment in a hydroponic system.

Perlite - sand or volcanic glass which has been expanded by heat; perlite holds water and nutrients on its many irregular surfaces.

Rockwool - inert, soilless growing medium consisting of woven, thin strand-like fibers made from molten volcanic rock and limestone, which is heated to over 2900 degrees f, extruded, and formed into slabs, cubes and blocks.

Secondary nutrients - calcium (ca) and magnesium (mg) are considered to be the secondary nutrients.

Systemic - used in reference to a disease within the plant tissue, not initiated from the external cells. Also refers to materials and compounds which are taken up or absorbed by the plant and designed to fight disease (e.g. Systemic fungicide).

Wick - part of a passive hydroponic system using a wick suspended in the nutrient solution. The nutrients pass up the wick and are absorbed by the medium and roots.